We Love This Game: 10 Things Men and Women Really Dig About The NBA

Just a lil' reminder as to why we need basketball back ASAP!!
Both men and women are fans of the National Basketball Association, and we all collectively have been in anguish at the idea that there may not be a season this year. So we at Bossip decided to take this opportunity to remind folks why we love this game and why we want it back so desperately.
Flip through the pages to see why we need the players and owners to get their lives together and play ball!

Buzzer Beaters
There might not be a single more dramatic play in sports than a buzzer beating jump shot. Lord knows that Michael Jordan has been on the giving end of more than a handful of clutch scores that broke some poor team's (and bookies) heart.

Cheerleaders
Ok, so maybe a few NBA teams could use some more beautiful black women ethnicity on their cheerleading squad. But despite that, the amazing women that stand courtside in barely-there shorts and midriff tops make for excellend eye-candy for men (and some of you ladies) while the teams are on a time out. Your hardwork is appreciated ladies!!

Celeb Watching
Although you would think that if you drive down to an arena, pay for parking, tickets, and $15 beer that you would be a true fan of the game. But nowadays, many people go to NBA games just to see the who's who of courtside attendees. Now that more and more celebrity-types are attempting to follow Jay-Z and become owners of NBA teams, there is no telling which famous face will be sitting close enough to "trip a referee".

High-Flying Slam Dunks
Ahhh, the slam dunk. A player streaks down the floor at full speed, the crowd rises in excitement because they see the play developing, and some poor sucker is standing underneath the basket in fear, knowing that he may just make a really cool poster on the wall of a 12 year old kid in the near future.

Players That Women Like To Ogle At
Ok ladies, we know that some of you all are as big a sports fan as any man. However, for those of the fairer sex that don't watch, we didn't forget about you.
Fellas, if you want to go to a game and your girlfriend/wife would rather jump off a bridge, then perhaps choosing a game that features one of her favorite playas (not "players" mind you) is a good way to get her to accompany you. Just a thought...

Exciting New Rookies
Each year, a new crop of bright-eyed young men join the ranks of the NBA from college. Some of these neophytes have had successful college (or high school) careers and are poised to be the next big thing amongst the league's veterans. Watching these players from their first game, and tracking their progress throughout the season is a thrill in itself for hardcore NBA junkies.

Game 7
The drama, tension, and excitement are at an all time high when it comes to a game 7 winner-take-all, showdown in the playoffs. Every cliche in the book is in full effect, "It's anybody's game", "All the chips are on the table", "Go hard or go home", etc. While it may the most stressful situation if your team is in one, basketball fans secretly fiend for this kind of intensity.

All-Star Weekend
Also dubbed "Ni**afest (insert a year here)" by those who are sour to the NBA's mid-season fan favorite experience. All-Star weekend is intended to be a celebration of the league, its players, and fans that have supported the sport for years and years. At this point, All-Star weekend is more about celebrity parties, fights, and the thirstiest of thirsty hoes descending upon a city for three days of debaucherous baller-chasing. Nonetheless, this weekend has it's share of family fun including the skills competition, the rookie game, 3-point shootout, and the ever entertaining slam-dunk contest.

Rivalries
This particular part of the game isn't half as prevalent as it used to be, however slowly but surely there are a few select teams that seem not to like each other the more and more they play. Take the Lakers and Celtics, after the 2007-2008 season where the guys in green took home the Larry O'Brien trophy, there was much talk amongst NBA journalists that the old rivalry was back on. Hopefully, more of these emotional battles continue to build over the next few years.

Fights
We all have guilty pleasures, and when it comes to sports, especially the NBA, nothing is as inappropriately entertaining as good ol' fade catching. Obviously the league would rather this not occur, but drunken fans would like nothing more than to see one of "their guys" give an opposing player a two-piece when things get chippy in the paint.
The brawl that ensued in 2004 between the Pacers and the Piston might have taken it a LITTLE too far, but there are fights that will forever be entertaining to remember, talk about, and hell...watch...